Smith: Missed chances cost us dear

By Mark Currie, Daily Post

12/12/02

WREXHAM manager Denis Smith took Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy exit on the chin, after watching his side squander a host of match-winning chances against Carlisle United at Brunton Park.

The home side went through to the Northern section semi-finals with a 2-0 scoreline, snatching both their goals on the break after being penned back in their own half for long periods.

Stating the obvious, the Dragons' boss said: "If you don't take your chances you don't win games. We had enough chances to win two or three games and that's fairly straightforward.

"They didn't have a corner until the 90th minute and we had at least 10 so I think that tells the story. They possibly had two chances but they scored two goals; we had a lot and we've not scored."

The Dragons' boss, who takes his side back to Carlisle for a third division match this weekend, said Wrexham's overall performance was the important factor against a team he reckons are rapidly improving.

"I thought it was a cracking game of football from both sides. They tried to pass the ball and to do things right and it was one of my strikers who switched off that cost us the first goal," he added. "From then we were chasing the game and throwing everyone forward but generally we defended well and the keeper had nothing to do. But obviously, I would be happier if we had taken half our chances because we would have been through.

"Even at 1-0 until the 85th minute or so you still felt we were going to get back into the game. But you have to give them credit because they are a good side and maybe they are in a false position. "Look at what they have done and who they have brought in. Results are not everything and if you look deeper you will see this is a good club. It's easy to look at the surface picture but look underneath and they will have a good second half of the season," he added.

Tuesday's blank scoreline mirrored Wrexham's last outing against Hull City when again they dominated but failed to score, but Smith claimed his strikers had nothing to worry about.

"They might dwell on it only if they read the papers and listen to the media. If they listen to the professionals, they will be fine," he said.

"I understand that you have to report what you see but I would tell the players not to read it and to carry on what they are doing because, sooner or later, the chances will be turned into goals.

"It's sensible to make sure they don't read something that's going to upset them because they don't need reminding and they have already been told."

Fewer than 40 Wrexham fans made the trip to Carlisle but Smith will be hoping for an improved following this weekend, promising: "Saturday will be a totally different game. We'll have different players and so will they but I hope we dominate as much as we did today and create as many chances."

Tickets for the third division clash must be bought in advance at the Racecourse because the Brunton Park club is operating an all-ticket policy this season for visiting supporters.

Wrexham's scheduled Avon Insurance League reserve team match against Blackpool yesterday was postponed at the request of the opposition, who have an injury crisis at Bloomfield Road and were unable to raise a team.